For years, the poor condition of roads in Ashaiman has been a major concern for residents, motorists and businesses.
Potholes, muddy stretches, dust and inadequate drainage have become familiar features of everyday life in the municipality.
Today, however, there are signs of change. Under the current administration, drains are being constructed across several communities, while sections of the road network are undergoing rehabilitation.
Yet, beneath the optimism lies a critical question: Can the ongoing projects be completed quickly enough to meet the expectations of the people of Ashaiman?
That question became more pronounced following a recent inspection of road projects by the Ashaiman Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Freeman Tsekpo, and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashaiman, Dr Ernest Henry Norgbey.
The inspection showed progress on several projects but also exposed delays and growing frustration among some residents.
Briefing journalists after the tour, Mr Tsekpo said drainage construction across the municipality was about 70 per cent complete.
He said Ashaiman required nearly 60 kilometres of drains, with approximately 45 kilometres already constructed. Some sections still require backfilling and finishing works.
He explained that drainage was critical because the municipality’s road problems could not be separated from flooding. During heavy rains, poorly drained areas become flooded, damaging roads and disrupting movement.
According to the Assembly’s 2025–2026 Department of Urban Roads progress report, several projects funded through the Ghana Road Fund are at different stages of completion.
The rehabilitation of Fitter Line and High Tension roads, covering about 5.5 kilometres, has recorded 50 per cent physical progress.
Sel Sem Group Limited is executing the project, with 2.5 kilometres of drains completed at Fitter Line and another three kilometres along High Tension Road.
The 4.5-kilometre Christian Village roads rehabilitation project has reached 60 per cent progress.
Mmanab Construction is undertaking drainage, earthworks, road-base construction and surfacing.
Road rehabilitation in the Lebanon area, covering 5.5 kilometres, is 55 per cent complete.
Forgeline Company Limited is executing the project, with about 7.3 kilometres of drains completed across several roads, including School Road and its links, St Luke, Peter Anum, Channel 11 and Tema High Road.
The 3.5-kilometre Afariwa-Newtown Road reconstruction is only 20 per cent complete, with drainage works ongoing.
About two kilometres of drains have been completed.
Resealing works on selected roads, covering about 15 kilometres, have also reached 20 per cent. Freeway Company Limited is undertaking pothole patching, sectional repairs and sealing works, with 1.7 kilometres of Obligado Road already resealed.
However, two major projects had not commenced at the time of reporting: nine kilometres of selected road surfacing and the 4.5-kilometre asphalt overlay from Ashaiman Traffic Light to Zenu Junction.
Mr Tsekpo warned that contractors who failed to improve could be publicly named after another month of monitoring, with their performance reported to the roads ministry and the presidency.
Dr Norgbey was particularly critical of the contractor working on the Ashaiman New Town–Afariwa Junction Road, describing the pace as unacceptable.
He urged the contractor to return to the site and accelerate the work, warning that a contractor without the resources to deliver should be replaced.
Some residents, however, expressed frustration over repeated inspection tours and assurances without corresponding progress.
One resident said people were tired of what they described as “everyday inspections”, and wanted visible development rather than more assessments.
Another resident, Awudu Imoro of Ashaiman Newtown, recalled an earlier engagement where contractors reportedly promised to deploy machinery the following week.
He said little had changed since then and questioned whether the latest inspection would lead to actual construction.
Their concerns capture the central issue facing Ashaiman’s road programme.
Residents want completed roads, functioning drains and infrastructure that reduces flooding, improves movement and supports economic activity.
For people who have endured poor roads for years, progress will ultimately not be measured by inspections, piles of materials or kilometres of drains alone.
It will be measured by whether they can finally travel through Ashaiman on durable, properly drained and properly surfaced roads.
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